Entertainment
Sports: Nigeria Face Gabon In Crucial 2026 World Cup Play-Off
Sports: Nigeria Face Gabon In Crucial 2026 World Cup Play-Off
Sports: Nigeria face Gabon in crucial 2026 World Nigeria may have missed out on automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Still, Thursday’s semi-final play-off against Gabon offers them a lifeline of reaching the competition billed for North America next year.
The Super Eagles, one of Africa’s football powerhouses, lost the Group C automatic slot to South Africa, finishing on 17 points, one behind the Bafana Bafana after the last round of qualifiers last month. In fact, the 2013 AFCON winners only sneaked into the play-offs courtesy of a better goal difference ahead of the Stallions of Burkina Faso. They needed a 4-0 defeat of their neighbour, the Benin Republic, to take over from their fellow West Africans.
Against the Panthers of Gabon at the Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, Morocco, Nigeria may hope for a similar outcome to progress in their plans of qualifying for the World Cup in the Americas.
The Super Eagles’ fortunes in the early stage of the World Cup qualifier were terrible; they managed only three points in their first four games. However, they finished on 17 points, which is a sharp contrast to Gabon, which reached the play-offs with 25 points, one behind Group F winners, Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria vs Gabon: Form Guide

Although Nigeria faltered in the initial stages of the World Cup qualifiers, the team has now been steadied under Eric Chelle, who took over in January. The Super Eagles have won three of their last four World Cup qualification games, drawing only one game away to rivals South Africa.
Their opponents posted a similar result, winning three and drawing one (against Côte d’Ivoire) in their last four World Cup qualification matches.
Osimhen, Aubameyang Headline Stars to Watch in Nigeria Vs Gabon Play-Off
Not surprisingly, both sides boast of an array of attacking talents with a former African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, headlining Nigeria’s squad.
Gabon can bank on the experience of Olympique Marseille star, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a former African Player of the Year, who has also featured for some of Europe’s biggest sides, including Arsenal, Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund.
Entertainment
Why Kebbi Government Postpones 2026 Yauri Rigata Cultural Festival
Why Kebbi Government Postpones 2026 Yauri Rigata Cultural Festival
Why Kebbi government postpones 2026 Yauri Rigata Cultural Festival. The Kebbi government has postponed the 2026 Rigata Cultural Festival, which was earlier scheduled to begin on February 4.
The Kebbi government on Sunday announced the postponement of the 2026 Rigata Cultural Festival, which was earlier scheduled to begin on February 4.
Yakubu Bala-Tafida, Secretary to the State Government, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
He said, “In my capacity as the national chairman of Rigata Cultural Festival Organising Committee and also Secretary to the State Government, I have the honour to inform you that Rigata Cultural Festival has been postponed to a date to be announced soon.
“This postponement is due to compelling necessities arising from organisational issues.
“Indeed, we also have the obligation to thank the state government for providing funds to conduct the Rigata Cultural Festival.”

Kebbi
Mr Bala-Tafida recalled that the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival was scheduled to be held a week after the Rigata.
According to him, it will be unwise to invite guests to attend Rigata, only to have them come back a week later for the international fishing festival.
“These and many other reasons compelled us to make the postponement,” the SSG said.
Entertainment
Osimhen’s Statement Recalling An Inforgettable Moment With Ronaldo
Osimhen’s Statement Recalling An Inforgettable Moment With Ronaldo
Osimhen’s statement recalling an unforgettable moment with Ronaldo. Victor Osimhen: “Cristiano Ronaldo was at Juventus at the time, we were playing, and we (Napoli) were winning 1-0. I said to him, ‘Cristiano, I want to take a picture with you.’ And he said, ‘Yes, come to the dressing room.’
I immediately went to the dressing room quickly, I didn’t even take off my shoes. I got there in less than five minutes, and guess where he was? In the gym, after playing 90 minutes.
In the dressing room, I met Buffon, who came over and hugged me. Then Buffon said, ‘What do you want?’ I replied, ‘I want to see Cristiano, I’m looking for him.’
Then we both sat and waited outside the gym, just talking. He (Cristiano) didn’t come out for almost 30 minutes, but it was a home game, and I could have stayed there for five hours if I wanted.
I want to tell you the truth, after playing 90 minutes, he… After finishing his hour-long workout at the gym, Buffon invited me to meet him. When we arrived, I was amazed by his physical condition; I thought he looked like a 25-year-old.

Osimhen’s Statement
That’s when he stood up and invited me to take a photo. He asked the physiotherapist to take it. He asked me, “Is that enough?” I said, “I want more.” So I took a selfie with him, after he finished, he said, “Whatever happens, don’t stop, keep going.”
I thanked him, shook his hand, and then I went to call my friends. I told them that Cristiano and I are not on the same level (laughs). He has talent and works incredibly hard, which is why Cristiano Ronaldo is such a great inspiration to so many of us.
I wanted a photo with him, and I didn’t mind losing 10-0; I wanted that photo with the best”
Entertainment
Mexico: Gunmen Ki1l 11 People During Football Game
Mexico: Gunmen Ki1l 11 People During Football Game
Mexico: Gunmen ki1l 11 people during football game. In addition to those ki1led, 12 others were wounded.
At least 11 people were shot and ki1led by gunmen who opened fire during a football game in central Mexico on Sunday, local media reported on Monday.

Mexico
In addition to those kiqled, 12 others were wounded.
People were playing football when the gunmen arrived in two vehicles and opened fire on those present, the newspaper El Sol de Salamanca reported, citing local authorities.
The motive for the attack in the state of Guanajuato was not immediately known.
Police reportedly collected at least 100 shell casings.
Guanajuato had Mexico’s highest homicide rate in 2025.
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